Chapter 86

Zhang Xinyu nodded, then shifted slightly and said, "What is that? It’s digging into me."

The cameraman was startled. Big brother, no way, are you "driving" even inside the car?

Chen Fan said, "Oh, a head. I couldn't fit it in the back, so I'm just keeping it by my side."

？？？？

No, wait, are you even being polite?

Zhang Xinyu looked at the bag, staring at Chen Fan in disbelief.

Chen Fan said, "I'm kidding. It's a pumpkin. I thought it looked good, so I bought one in the village. We can make pumpkin porridge when we get back."

Zhang Xinyu was startled. A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she asked, "Say, do you forensic doctors ever eat on the autopsy table?"

Chen Fan said, "Don't lump me in with ordinary forensic doctors. I'm a celebrity forensic doctor, you know? How could I do something so vulgar?"

Zhang Xinyu nodded. Indeed, Chen Fan probably wouldn't.

Over at the forensic department, Chen Fan carried his tray into the autopsy room and said, "Old Liu, stop working for a second. It's pumpkin porridge today, it's delicious. Eat something first."

"Call me Master. And why are you bringing food in here?"

"It's just good. I was worried someone would steal my meal."

Old Liu’s face darkened. He ignored him, finished writing the document, and gave it to his assistant to send out.

The group was eating in the cafeteria.

At the table, Old Liu expressed his welcome and took the initiative to have a drink.

The few newcomers on the side silently kept their heads down, eating their food without a word.

"I’ve been watching this live stream. Everyone performed very well. I’m giving you all full marks."

Everyone looked at Old Liu.

Old Liu said, "Surprised? Don't be. I really am giving you full marks. You listened to what I said. At the very beginning, I told you not to listen to what others say. As forensic doctors, we must rely on facts to speak."

Qu Yiling said, "But, you and Chen Fan, you figured it out the moment you saw the body."

"Chen Fan was the fastest; I was a bit slower."

Everyone looked at Chen Fan.

This guy is a monster. Are we really supposed to compare ourselves to a monster?

"Master, I want to know, is there a scientific basis for what you did?"

Old Liu said, "Did you waste your time studying forensic pathology? We are forensic doctors. If you break the two characters for 'forensic doctor' apart, we are still half-doctors."

Qu Yiling understood instantly and said, "That... actually, I’ve only been researching forensic pathology, I haven't mastered it yet. I didn't realize it could be utilized like that."

Old Liu put down his chopsticks and said, "Seeing that person, I knew he had alcoholic liver disease. Plus, the tobacco stains in the gaps of his fingers—these shouldn't appear on a villager. So, he was basically an unemployed drifter. We could basically confirm his identity."

"These things don't require an autopsy; analysis is enough. This isn't deduction; it's a summary of life experience. Understand?"

Cheng Ruofei said, "When I was organizing the clothes, I found hair. Does that count as evidence left behind?"

"Yes."

Cheng Ruofei said, "Sigh, I tested it, but unfortunately, it wasn't that woman's."

？？？？？？

The few celebrities eating on the side nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

Hu Ge said, "Wait, the woman you're talking about is the deceased's sister-in-law, right? What do you mean it wasn't her?"

Chen Fan said, "Men aren't bad, women don't love them—don't you understand this principle? This big brother was just 'eating wild food,' right? As for who he was eating with, who knows? The village will slowly find out."

Old Liu said, "This is a village that traffics people. Moreover, they specifically look for abandoned infants, or steal children, or snatch women. The village has certain quotas. These quotas are based on the number of single men. If the quota is good, they get quite a bit of money."

"How much money is that?"

"Not much. A few hundred yuan a month, maybe over a thousand if it's a good month."

Jing Tian fell silent and said, "Is this little bit of money worth trampling on the law?"

Old Liu said, "What I'm most worried about isn't that. What I fear most is continuing to find skeletons. Every time we find one, it might make many people anxious. And what about the ones we've forgotten?"

The table fell silent.

Chen Fan said, "Master, let's eat, let's eat. Seriously, talking about this... come, eat this pumpkin. It’s really delicious."

Old Liu said, "Aren't you going to say where the pumpkin grew?"

The group looked at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan said, "I just bought it."

"Nonsense. This is a wild pumpkin seed. They haven't lived in the countryside, but I have. These rolling pumpkins all have seeds planted on the nearby mountains."

The celebrities started to feel nauseous.

Chen Fan said, "Fine, I stole the pumpkin."

"Where did you steal it from?"

"A grave mound..."

？？？？？？

*Ugh.*

Zhang Xinyu stood up and said, "Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment."

"Wait for me."

Jing Tian followed her out.

Chen Fan sighed helplessly and looked at the remaining newcomers, saying, "You guys are pretty good."

"Yeah, we're used to it."

Chen Fan took a bite of the pumpkin and said, "Yeah, the taste is really different. When I dug it up, the root went straight through someone's head."

The group instantly bristled. The newcomers stood up and left the table as well.

Xiang Qinqin and Chen Fan exchanged glances and immediately started fighting over the remaining pumpkin.

Old Liu was speechless and said, "You two, really. Is it worth it just to eat a bit more pumpkin?"

Chen Fan said, "Anyone who fights me for good food has to die."

Xiang Qinqin didn't hesitate either; love is fine, but one must never let down good food.

At this moment, a *ding-dong* sound rang in Chen Fan's ears.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining a new skill. Please check it."

Please, Ancestor, I’m begging you, I’m willing to trade ten years of my best friend’s future bachelorhood.

Give me a normal skill, I’m really begging you.

— Author's Notes —

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